Can You Dig It?

This selection of 40-ton and larger excavators will have you digging up aggregates in record time.

Kobelco Construction Machinery America

Tackles heavy applications

Kobelco’s new SK485 high-performance excavator is the largest of the company’s Mark 9 excavator series. The company says the new model delivers up to a 15-percent improvement in fuel efficiency. Features include upgraded intelligent hydraulics; a new Economy power mode for greater fuel efficiency; a Tier 4 Interim Hino engine equipped with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (CEGR) emission technology; a new ROPS/FOPS cab with a larger, more comfortable work environment; and a low engine cover and standard rear-view camera for improved visibility. Additional features include swing flashers and step extensions. A full selection of buckets, couplers, and thumbs are available.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Co.

Boom/Swing Priority modes

The Hitachi EX1200-6 hydraulic excavator comes with a front-shovel bucket range of 7.7 to 8.5 cubic yards. The machine features an auto-level crowd mechanism for one-lever crowding of the bucket into the material at a constant level, which is said to keep a cleaner floor and increase bucket fill. Boom Priority mode increases boom-raise speed to reduce cycle time when the swing angle is small in a cycle of digging, swinging, and dumping. Swing Priority mode increases swing speed when the swing angle is large. The unit is also available in backhoe configuration with standard and bulk excavation booms.

Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment

Designed for heavy-duty quarrying

Doosan says its largest crawler excavator, the DX700LC, is designed for heavy-duty mining and quarrying. The excavator features an operating weight of 156,748 pounds with standard boom and arm, 35.4-inch double grouser shoes, and a 4.32-cubic-yard bucket. It provides a bucket breakout force of 78,485 pounds with standard bucket. Maximum digging reach is 41 feet, 8 inches at ground level; maximum digging depth is 25 feet, 5 inches. Additional features include a new power mode control system, an electronic power optimizing system (EPOS), and a six-cylinder common-rail diesel engine.

Caterpillar Inc.

Refined design, added safety

Cat says its 198,000-pound 390D L hydraulic excavator incorporates a refined design that provides greater hydraulic power, stronger structural components, and added safety and convenience features, plus improved serviceability when compared to its 385C predecessor. This is said to create a more productive, more durable, more efficient machine that is comfortable to operate. An increase in hydraulic operating pressure, combined with larger-diameter hydraulic cylinders, results in a 7-percent boost in digging-arm and bucket breakout forces.

Deere & Co.

Comfortable, spacious cab

John Deere’s 870G LC excavator is equipped with a 532-horsepower IT4 engine. The 87-metric ton machine offers a lifting capacity of 43,800 pounds and is equipped with Deere’s Powerwise III engine management system, which is said to offer more hydraulic flow for faster work cycles. A comfortable and spacious cab improves operator comfort. The excavator comes standard with JDLink Ultimate, which offers 24/7 online access to machine health, use, and fuel consumption.

Volvo Construction Equipment

Low emissions, high productivity

Volvo says its EC480D Tier 4i-compliant excavator enters a new era of low emissions and high productivity. The machine features an automatic idling system that reduces engine speed when the levers and pedals are not activated — aiding fuel efficiency and lowering external noise. It also features a heavy-duty undercarriage, advanced hydraulics, and a roomy working environment with clear visibility and easy-to-handle controls. The excavator is said to excel in heavy digging and lifting duties, offering superior cycle times and greater fuel efficiency.

LBX Co., LLC

Fixed or expandable side frames

The new Link-Belt 470 X3 Series excavator from LBX is now available in North America in Standard and Mass EX versions with the option of either fixed or expandable side frames. The machine features an all new ROPS cab interior, a new Interim Tier 4a electronically controlled Isuzu diesel engine, up to 5-percent better fuel efficiency, more lift capacity, faster cycle times, and improved serviceability. For a fixed side frame, operating weight is 108,467 pounds for the Standard EXC and 111,113 pounds for the Mass EXC. For an expandable side frame, operating weight is 111,554 pounds for the Standard EXC and 114,119 pounds for a Mass EXC.

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc.

Designed for efficiency

Hyundai says its R520LC-9 series excavators are designed for efficiency, offering standard features such as Hi-mate remote management systems, Computer Aided Power Optimization systems, hands-free phone, and other amenities. The systems are designed to provide operators with greater comfort and fuel efficiency. Hi-mate, included for three years with each unit, offers complete remote access to information. Through a Web portal, owners can view information such as running time, maintenance needs, current location and location history, and production time. Adjustment to operator preference is offered through the built-in, 7-inch LCD display screen designed to be customizable, allowing operators to save personal settings in the system. Write 8 on reader card.

Case Construction Equipment

Superior fuel economy, productivity

Case says its CX700B and CX800B excavators provide superior fuel efficiency and productivity, resulting in more cubic yards of material excavated per gallon of fuel. The CX700B is rated at 463 horsepower with an operating weight of 153,400 pounds; the CX800C is rated at 532 horsepower with an operating weight of 178,575 pounds. Both models use a common rail fuel injection system that, when combined with advanced hydraulics, delivers the performance and productivity needed for large-scale excavation projects. Key features on both models include an isolation-mounted cab for low noise levels, three work modes (automatic, heavy, and speed priority), auto power boost to increase standard bucket digging forces by 10 percent when needed, and excellent visibility thanks to narrow posts on the cab and a one-piece right-hand window. Write 9 on reader card.

Liebherr’s R954C thru R974C model excavators are powered by purpose-built Liebherr diesel engines producing between 326 and 543 horsepower. Operators can select four operating modes to match engine and hydraulic output. The models include a dedicated third pump used exclusively for the swing circuit, which is said to increase efficiency and reduce cycle times. The company says the boom cylinders with integrated load-holding valves and “regeneration plus” pressureless boom lowering allow gravity to lower the boom with no oil flowing through the control valve, resulting in faster and more efficient operations.

LiuGong Equipment Machinery

New generation intelligent crawler

LiuGong says its 936D is one of its new generation intelligent crawler excavators featuring computer-aided systems that automatically match hydraulic output flow to the application for greater operating efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and overall reliability. The excavator’s “smart” hydraulic systems are said to produce on-demand breakout power, while a rugged new frame design and improved undercarriage components make the excavator stable, durable, and ready to tackle any task. The new power boost feature instantly increases digging force up to 10 percent for 10 seconds at the touch of a button, then resets back to normal. The machine features a no-time-limit, heavy-lift system that increases hydraulic pressure to the attachment cylinders, while simultaneously reducing attachment speed. An emergency bypass switch enables the excavator to operate indefinitely in the event of an electrical problem with the main CPU or related components.